Discussions By Condition: I cannot get a diagnosis.

vaginal and anal itching

I have had ongoing problems for the past...I don't know, five years...with an array of problems dealing with my feminine parts. It started out as a string of urinary tract infections that I could never get rid of. Finally, I was referred to a urologist and he told me anatomically everything looked normal. He didn't have an explanation why I kept getting the infections, but said that it seemed I kept getting them around my period and it was always ecoli. So, I went on a maintenance antibiotic that I took the week of my period for 6 mos and I went a good year without getting a UTI. This was probably 3 years ago. Since then, I do still get UTIs, but if I am prescribed something they will go away. BUT NOW, I have had an ongoing string of yeast and antibacterial infections. About two summers ago I had a yeast infection that did not go away no matter the treatment. I cannot even remember what finally did the trick. Then the following winter, I had an antibacterial infection that wouldn't go away. I was on Flagyl for a month and it didn't work. I then took an extended dose of Cipro that did work. But, it doesn't fail, every so many months the symptoms will creep up on me. I hold off on calling the dr because I know an overuse of antibiotics is bad and was told that just because I have vaginal itching and odor I don't necessarily have an infection. What is most annoying, though, is that I get the symptoms, go in to have cultures done, and most times and told, "It's clear, you're fine." Then, I go another week or two with the symptoms, go in for another culture and am told, "Oh, you have a bad infection..." On top of all of the above, I have a big problem with anal itching. I have had this for years; probably 7 yrs now. I just read a list of symptoms for genital herpes and a lot of this stuff is included; vaginal itching, anal itching, butt pain, vaginal pain, etc. If I do have herpes, wouldn't a gynecologist have caught onto this for the past 7 years? I had been trying to get pregnant at one point, years ago, and I just gave up because it seemed like every time I gave nightly sex a real go I'd end up at the dr office with some kind of infection. My husband did go get checked out and was told he was fine. I am 34 years old, though, and would really like to start trying to get pregnant, seriously... Anyone out there have any ideas at all?!?

2 Replies:

I am 38 and I have been undergoing the same thing. For 3 to 4 years now, I constantly have a UTI or yeast infection or as I think my drs. believe, something just in my head or "is there something more going on that you would like to talk about?" I have been on so much medication, it is unbelievable. This is my opinion. I have been tested for everything under the sun. Finally I found an internist who ran a urine "culture" for "specific organisms". Came back positive for ecoli. She placed me on Leviquin for 10 days. I began to feel better, but after unprotected sex with my husband, the same burning feeling began. I have also been to the urologists who said I was fine and probably needed to have my bladder stretched and should be on a low grade antibiotic. (WHY??? Just because?) My new GYN specialist refused to believe me that I had something more going on... like an infection. He told me not to think about it so much... my vagina was "clean as a whistle". I had to make him do a culture... to his surprise it came back positive with ecoli and entrcockis (sp???). I am 100% convinced my husband and I have been infecting each other with this bacteria. I believe this has been going on for years. I have had 2 ectopics and struggle with ovarian cysts. The key to detection is "Culture". I have tested negative for urine test over 20 times, atleast. I had my husband go to the urologist last week, because my GYN does not believe he is infected. They had him pee in a cup and said everything looked normal. When I asked if they we going to send it off for a culture he said the Dr. said no need. Oddly enough, while out of town this past weekend, we ran into his urologist.. my husband talked with him about my concerns and he reluctantly said he would do a culture of the urine, but "Knew" it would come back with no form of growth. I believe my husband has ecoli in his sperm and maybe his urine/bladder. I also just completed 10 days of antibiotics from this past infection... in trying to do my own study, my husband and I agreed to have only protected sex, during and after this round of antibiotics. I was feeling so much better on day 8.. however, while having sex on the morning of the 8th day, the condom came off after he came... and now the infection is starting back again. I have an appointment with my GYN again in the morning for another culture. I know it will still test postive because I know this feeling...and maybe now, I can convince someone to test his sperm. Any feedback?

When I started dating my husband, I mysteriously began getting bacterial vaginosis. My last infection I had the bacteria with a yeast infection brewing. My doctor prescribed Flagyl for both me and him---twice a day for 7 days.--Diflucan for me and another one 5 days later. We couldn't have sex for the seven days--which was fine with me. Knock on wood, it hasn't come back. My doctor also explained that yes all that bacteria and stuff can get passed back and forth. Also, if your hormones decide to go a little crazy on you, your body goes out of whack and it can't fight the normal bacteria in your body and that is how infections can arise. Hope this helps.